Why high tech needs high touch: Supporting continuity of community primary health care.
Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med
; 10(1): e1-e6, 2018 Jun 21.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29943614
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Integrated care through community-oriented primary care (COPC) deployed through municipal teams of community health workers (CHWs) has been part of health reform in South Africa since 2011. The role of COPC and integration of information and communication technology (ICT) information to improve patient health and access to care, require a better understanding of patient social behaviour.Aim:
The study sought to understand how COPC with CHWs visiting households offering health education can support antenatal follow-up and what the barriers for access to care would be.Method:
A mixed methodological approach was followed. Quantitative patient data were recorded on an electronic health record-keeping system. Qualitative data collection was performed through interviews of the COPC teams at seven health posts in Mamelodi and telephonic patient interviews. Interviews were analysed according to themes and summarised as barriers to access care from a social and community perspective.Results:
An integrated COPC approach increased the number of traceable pregnant women followed up at home from 2016 - 2017. Wrong addresses or personal identification were given at the clinic because of fear of being denied care. Allocating patients correctly to a ward-based outreach team (WBOT) proved to be a challenge as many patients did not know their street address.Conclusion:
Patient health data available to a health worker on a smartphone as part of COPC improve patient traceability and follow-up at home making timely referral possible. Health system developments that support patient care on community level could strengthen patient health access and overall health.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sistemas de Identificação de Pacientes
/
Cuidado Pré-Natal
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Atenção Primária à Saúde
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Atitude
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Serviços de Saúde Comunitária
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Continuidade da Assistência ao Paciente
/
Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article